This week is full of announcements about animated takes on huge properties (Tomb Raider, the cartoon?) but one piece of animation news something really special: Molly Knox Ostertag’s 2017 graphic novel The Witch Boy is being adapted into an animated musical for Netflix. The sweet, smart book will be brought to life by director Mikyu Lee (of the Oscar-nominated short Adam and Dog) and screenwriter Maria Melnik (American Gods), with the band Haim providing original music.
The Witch Boy—which has two sequels, The Hidden Witch and The Midwinter Witch—is an affecting and gorgeous story about growing up to be who you are, even when it’s not what’s expected of you. Here’s the publisher’s summary:
In thirteen-year-old Aster’s family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn’t shifted, and he’s still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help—as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family, and to be truly himself.
Netflix released a single piece of concept art (above) that promises a rich visual style and a layer of magic on a recognizable world. There’s no word yet on release date or voice cast, but you can read a little more about the book while we wait impatiently for this one to arrive.